Four charged in large scale Berks County heroin ring

Four charged in large scale Berks County heroin ring

Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane today announced the breakup of a large scale heroin distribution ring operating in and around Reading, Berks County. Four suspected drug dealers have been charged.

Evidence and testimony regarding the alleged drug trafficking was presented to a statewide investigating grand jury, which recommended the criminal charges being filed today.

The grand jury identified Eliud “Drop” Price as a high level distributor of bulk heroin in the Reading area. Price is believed to be the heroin source for three Lancaster County residents, who were arrested last week on charges that they imported and distributed thousands of dollars’ worth of heroin into the Lancaster County area.

Between November 2010 and August 2011, agents made a series of controlled purchases from Price, which progressed from bundles of heroin to approximately 20 grams of loose heroin in a form known as “fingers.” A bundle of heroin contains 11 to 12 individual dosage units or bags of heroin. Each dosage unit or bag sells on the street for approximately $10.

Over the course of the investigation agents seized or purchased approximately 81 grams of loose heroin from Price, which has an estimated street value of at least $40,000.

According to the grand jury, Price was assisted in his drug enterprise by four associates Bryan Rice, Edward Woods, and Kimber Griffiths. As the investigation progressed, agents learned that these associates also sold cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana.

Rice and Woods were taken into custody yesterday, April 23, 2013 and are being held on $750,000 bail. Price and Griffiths are currently being sought by law enforcement. Anyone with information regarding their whereabouts is encouraged to contact Berks County Communications at 610-655-4911. This continues to be an ongoing investigation.

Kane thanked the City of Reading Police Department and the Berks County Drug Task Force for their assistance with the investigation.

Below is a complete list of the defendants and the charges against them.

–Eliud Price, 29, 1448 Cotton St., Reading, is charged with six counts of delivery of heroin.

Eliud Price

–Bryan Rice, 34, 1024 N. 12th St., Reading, is charged with six counts of delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal conspiracy.

Bryan Rice

–Edward Woods, 31, 3 Nottingham Court, Reading, is charged with one count of delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal conspiracy.

Edward Woods

–Kimber Griffiths, 24, 179 S. 4th St., Hughesville, Lycoming County, is charged with two counts of delivery of cocaine.

Kimber Griffiths

The above article provided by the office of the Attorney General of Pennsylvania.